We’ll be honest – RiseNY isn’t at the top of our must-see list. It’s so subtly tucked into our itinerary of big-name attractions, we almost overlook it. But, it turns out, that spark of Big Apple magic shows up right when you least expect it.
Billed as a ‘flying theater’ and located in the middle of a neon-lit midtown, it fits right in with the buzz of Broadway and the flashiness of Times Square. Think: a dash of history, a sprinkle of pop culture, some catchy songs, and a dazzling Disney-style ride that sends you soaring over the city’s streets...
The best bits
We take that famous Friends photo (minus a few actual friends)
Who doesn’t love a good photo op? RiseNY is pure Insta-heaven and seeing the plethora of props to pose with makes us feel like kids in a candy store. Naturally we test a few out, starting with the Friends couch and ending with our moment in the spotlight on The Tonight Show.
“Could this BE any more iconic?”
Tune in tonight for a flight over NYC
We spot Madonna’s jacket and Taylor Swift’s dress
We assume the props are all replicas until, plot twist, we read the signs! Many of them are the real deal. There’s Madonna’s hand-painted Keith Haring jacket, the guitar Bruce Springsteen used to write ‘Born to Run’, and an Oscar de la Renta dress only Taylor Swift could pull off.
A very happy Swifty!
We tuck into the FREE popcorn
If there’s one thing that wins us over, it’s a surprise treat. And RiseNY understands the assignment. While heading into the ‘theater’ section for some showtime tunes, there are little bags of cinema-style popcorn to pick up. A small touch that makes RiseNY rise up the ranks of our top NYC experiences. Yes, we are easily impressed and, yes, the popcorn was buttered – the only acceptable kind.
Scientific fact: it tastes better when it's free
We get a history lesson in a subway station
New York’s ascent (okay, we’ve stopped using the word rise), from its early days as ’Manahatta’ – as it was once known – to today’s metropolis, is played out on-screen in a fun station simulation. We feel like we’re hopping on a clean and rodent-free subway train and riding through history, complete with realistic rumbling seats. Note – the motion effects really jolt you awake if you’re thinking this is the opportune time for a mid-sightsee snooze. That and the narration by none other than Jeff Goldblum keeps it lively.
The fake Subway – just a tad better than the real one
We go behind-the-scenes at the ball drop
In the penultimate room, we’re greeted by an enthusiastic hostess dressed in 50s attire calling us over for the first-ever televised ball drop. We’re still clutching that popcorn from earlier and, luckily, she doesn’t demand much in the way of audience participation. We’re led into an elevator ride, which is hindered by a storm – it’s all very dramatic – and then we pop into a studio for a behind-the-scenes look at the ball drop. Well, that’s one bucket list item sort of ticked off the list.
Going back in time to 1945
It’s time to, quite literally, rise
RiseNY’s finale is an epic five-minute ride that manages to capture the grit, glitter, spirit, hopes and dreams of New York City into one montage, complete with a soundtrack that gives us the feels. We’re strapped in (coz safety first!) and lifted slowly into the air, then launched into a handrail-clutching drop down the side of a skyscraper – eliciting actual screams. After that little thrill we settle into a gentle glide over the skyline through the five boroughs and the four seasons.
There are several mid-swoop surprises: actual water as we hit the Hudson, fog, and scents while gliding over Central Park (grass, nothing sinister) making it all extra impressive. The whole thing is the ‘wait, did that just happen?’ wow moment we weren’t expecting.
An illustrative snapshot of the experience – we didn't want to drop our phones taking pics, okay?
The RiseNY ride, again
Reader: it was epic. And deserves more than just a single mention!
Couldn’t. Recommend. More.
Enjoyed this little slice of New York?
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